The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1887-12-23
WASHINGTON.
wAsnNoros, D. c., Dec. 9Th, 1881.

wAsHtNoroN, .. c., Dec. sth, 1857.
Probably POUR readers are not aware Of
the immense quantities OF mail matter dis
tributed throughout the country BY the
Government II Washington. TO give
them soms faint conception Of its magni.
tnde. 4 = only necessary to mention the
fact thai shs United States mall seat out
ffon the Interior Department alone aver.
ages IN weight 1900 pounds daily. But
aiI told, the Government perhaps distrib.
utss about 3c,ooo pounds daily, especially
durlag the season whenapubiIc documents"
are being scattered broadcast throughout
the land BY members Of Congress who do
not wish their constituents 70 forget them
during Fstay II the Capital. Perhaps
another thing that few persons. except the
losers themselves. ever think Of IL the
amount Of money lost In the malls. Last
year $s7,657 was found In dead letters, of
which amount $s7.63o Was restored to the
owners $6.677 thns found could not be
returned, and was deposited In the Treas
ury to the credit Of the Government like
wise the sum OF Ss,7ss. the proceeds OF
auction sales Of unclaimed packages Of
merchandise found In the malls.
Postmaster General Villas Ia certainly 10
be congratulated upon his mastery and
successful management Of the great De-
partment committed 10 hIs charge for his
annual report shows the most gratifying
results. The revenues Of the Department
have gaIned over the preceding year
nearly $4,Sloooo. which may be termed
the high water mark. while the disburse-
ments increased but little more than two
million dollars two years since under the
republican regime, the deficiency was
$7ooooo Thia sum has been reduced
neariy three.fourths under economical
democratic administration. and II the pres.
ent ratio Of reduction continues q few
months, the deficiency will disappear en-
tiFely.
II the democracy had done nothing else
10 win the support and confidence OF the
country. their management Of the public
lands and ct the postal affairs ofthe nation
entities the party to new lease OF power.
Both Secretary Fairchild and Comptroller
Turnhelm make two very important
recommendation In their reports-the
former urging upon Congress the need OF
enaeting hre proof hall for the better
protection Of perIshabic Government
records-the latter proposing TO Congress
the codlhcation OF the bank laws that the
Comptroller Is earnestly In favor of his
scheme is shown By hIs seAding letter TO
each Congressman, fully explaining its
provisions.
A Treasury statement shows that for
the month of November there was a net
Increase Of $s,36o,667 In the circulation
and net increase Of $s,s7r.746 In the
amount of cash In the Treasury. The In
crease In circulation was In silver certif-
Gates geld coln. standard silver dollars and
subsidiary silver in the order named.
Chief Justice Waite ofthe United States
Supreme Court, celebrated his 7Est birth.
day last week. Four Supreme Justices
Waite, Field, Miller and BradIey-could
some tlme since have laid aside the judi
ciai robes and retired on salaries Of $4,000
each the balance Of their lives, yet these
hale old men present the rare and refresh
Ing spectacle Of working every day,when
they might receive the same pay Tor doing
nothing. Each Supreme Justice Is enti-
tied to private secretary at 81 500 year,
and believe all Of them avail themselves
Of the privilege except the venerable Chief
Justice, who says such an official attach
ment would only be in his way.
Secretary Lamar's age (he was Ga last
September) Is urged as serious objection
by some against bis transfer to the Bench,
as since the Court was organized only two
Justices of that advanced age have been
appeinted. But Mr.. Lamar, hls friends
,ay, Is good for ten years service.
Washington is now crowded with the
floating population who dance attendance
upon the coming and the going of Con-
gress, and Of course all such individuals
have some personal obiectin view. There
are the lobbyists, male and female, the Office
seekers Of beth sexes, and great army OF
cranks, crooks and adventurers who are
woolng fame and fortune.
The deliberations Of the Democratic
Caucus resulted, as you have seen by tele
graph, about as have indicated In thi'
correspondence, though II is much to b
regretted that the excitement engendere'
In the canvass for doorkeeper ofthe Hous'
Iprecipitated personal conflict betweei
two OF the members, which, after the pas
sion Of the moment had passed, was honor
ably and amicably adjusted.
. 1t Is thought that Mr.. Lamar's nomina
. ten for Supreme Justice win be sent :
the Senate this week but It is not probabl
that he will assume the duties Of the pos
'tion until after the holidays, as there ar
many matters IN the Interior Department
demanding his attention.
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